Frustrated with the way Almagro has started the European tour considering his good results on HC...

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• The Spanish No. 3 (behind No. 2 Nadal, No. 6 Ferrer) comes in with a 26-8 match record on the season (most wins), including 16-3 on clay (most wins this year)…In February, he captured his 11th career ATP World Tour title in Sao Paulo (d. Volandri) and followed with runner-up in Buenos Aires (l. to Ferrer)

The hot favorites of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell beat their rivals today to book the quarter-final ticket.

Canada’s Milos Raonic saw off local hero Nicolas Almagro (6-3, 6-3) in today’s first clash on the Pista Central, playing “the best clay court match of my life,” confirmed the emerging tennis star in the post match press conference. “I made many easy points on the first serve”, added Raonic, who will face Scottish World No. 4 Andy Murray in the first quarter-final on Friday.

Before tournament organizers paid tribute to his coach Ivan Lendl on the Center Court, Murray dismissed Colombia’s Santiago Giraldo in only 74 minutes to cruise into the next round. “It was a good win. Giraldo is an experienced player who played quite a lot matches on clay this year, so I was expecting quite a lot of long rallies and there was quite a lot at the start. But once I got ahead started putting pressure on him, he started going for more and made more mistakes," Murray said.

World No. 2 Rafa Nadal was on next against another Colombian, Robert Farah. Spain’s king of clay needed 86 minutes to win his match and set up a clash with Serbia’s Janko Tipsarevice, who thrashed Portugal’s Frederico Gil in straight sets.

“I look back on two great weeks and am very happy about my victory,” said Nadal after his 6-2, 6-3 win. “All matches will be very difficult from now on as all players are specialists on clay,” he added.

Tipsarevic said that he has to “vary my game against Nadal. I am mentally and physically prepared for the match,” commented the Serb.

David Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez will meet in tomorrow’s all-Spanish clash after dismissing Albert Montañes and Jarkko Nieminen respectively.

2010 Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell champion Fernando Verdasco (def. Kevin Anderson) will take on Japan’s Kei Nishikori, seeking to reach the semi-finals at the Real Club Tenis Barcelona.

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Ivan Lendl has returned to the Real Club Tenis Barcelona 32 years after he claimed his first Trofeo Conde de Godó title. While tournament organizers paid tribute to the Czech tennis legend, he was received with a huge applause by the big crowd on the Pista Central.

Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell tournament director Albert Costa and Real Club Tenis Barcelona president Albert Agustí welcomed Lendl to the Center Court where he lifted the prestigious tennis trophy in 1980 and 81, both times beating Argentina’s Guillermo Villas.

Lendl was very happy about the present. He received the edition of his victory of the 1980 La Vanguardia newspaper from the hands of Javier Godó, Conde de Godó.

The coach of Andy Murray was satisfied about the victory today. “He played well, but we can’t think about the final yet. We have to play match by match,” Lendl said.

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David Ferrer is a three-time finalist in Barcelona. BARCELONA FRIDAY PREVIEW – TOP SEEDS NADAL, MURRAY, THREE OTHER SPANIARDS HEADLINE QUARTERS

• It’s Quarter-final Friday at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell with four Top 10 players and another former Top 10 player who loves this tournament among the ATP World Tour stars in action. This is the fourth time in the past five years at least four Spanairds are in the quarter-finals.

• First up on Pista Central is No. 2 seed Andy Murray against No. 11 Milos Raonic. Having never passed the second round in his first three attempts in Barcelona, Murray is now through to the quarter-finals in his fourth attempt, and with ease too - he has dropped just eight games in his first two matches. Now the World No. 4 has a first-time meeting with Canadian rising star Raonic, who has five career Top 10 wins to his name (two this year), but they have all come against No. 9s or No. 10s - he has gone 0-7 so far against Top 8 players. They were set to play each other in the third round in Miami last month but Raonic injured his ankle and withdrew from the tournament.

• Next up is a Spanish quarter-final between No. 3 seed David Ferrer against No. 7 Feliciano Lopez, who owns an overall head-to-head edge, 6-5, although Ferrer has dominated their clay court meetings, losing just 13 games in three straight-set wins (Lopez leads 6-2 on hard courts). While Lopez is trying to reach the semi-finals here for the first time in 13 attempts , Ferrer is looking to advance to the semi-finals for the sixth straight year (reaching finals in 2008, 2009 and 2011). Ferrer is off to a career-best 26-4 start (14-1 on clay) and three ATP World Tour titles.

• Next on is top seed and World No. 2 Rafael Nadal against No. 5 seed Janko Tipsarevic; Nadal is coming off his eighth straight Monte Carlo title and has dominated Barcelona too (32-1 mark), winning his last 31 matches here (and capturing the title the last six times he has played here). The Spaniard also has won the last 26 sets he has played here. Nadal has won 18 straight matches on clay since losing to Djokovic in the Rome final last May. Tipsarevic is playing the best tennis of his career, currently at a career-high No. 8, but he has not won a set against Nadal in their two previous meetings (including a 61 60 62 loss in their only clay court meeting in Davis Cup play three years ago).

• Last up is No. 8 seed Kei Nishikori against No. 9 Fernando Verdasco. The Madrid left-hander has always liked these courts, winning his last seven matches here - five to win the title in 2010, missing last year, then winning two matches this year to reach the quarter-finals for the third time. He has not been broken in 18 service games thus far. Nishikori is in the quarter-finals here for the first time in his young career. It is the Japan star’s second ATP World Tour quarter-final on clay this year (Buenos Aires in February). In the pair’s only previous meeting, Verdasco won 62 64 63 in the third round of last year’s Australian Open (breaking serve six times).

• April Streak on Clay – Nadal has won 74 straight matches on clay in the month of April. During his clay court streak in April he has won 13 titles – eight in Monte-Carlo and five in Barcelona. His last loss on clay in April came on Apr. 8, 2005 to Igor Andreev in the quarter-finals of Valencia.

CLAY COURT DOMINATOR – Nadal has the best career match record on clay in the Open Era with a 238-18 mark (.929) and he’s 33-4 in clay finals. Here's a year-by-year look at Nadal's clay court supremacy since 2005, compiling a 211-8 match record (.963) and 32-4 mark in clay court finals on the ATP World Tour: W-L Clay Finals2012 – 7-0 1-02011 – 28-2 3-2 (l. to Djokovic twice)2010 - 22-0 4-02009 - 23-2 3-1 (l. to Federer)2008 - 24-1 4-02007 - 31-1 5-1 (l. to Federer)2006 - 26-0 4-02005 - 50-2 8-0Note: Nadal has not lost in a quarter-final on clay since April 8, 2005 in Valencia (l. to Andreev)

FRIDAY QUARTER-FINAL FEDEX ATP HEAD 2 HEADS – In Order of Play by Court

• Raonic, 21, is appearing in his fourth ATP World Tour quarter-final of the season with a 20-4 match record (3-1 on clay) and he’s tryng to reach his second career semi-final on clay (’11 Estoril)• The top Canadian is making his first appearance in the quarter-finals here (5-1 mark) after defeating Alejandro Falla 64 76(3), Igor Andreev 64 61 and No. 6 seed/No. 13 ranked Nicolas Almagro 63 63 (his first career Top 20 win on clay)…Has held serve 28 of 29 games while winning 81% of first serve pts. and 69 of second serve pts., both No. 2 this week…Last year reached the third round (l. to Raonic)• Reached a career-high No. 24 ranking on Feb. 27 and comes in No. 25…His best results were a pair of ATP World Tour titles in Chennai (d. Tipsarevic) in first week of campaign and San Jose (d. Istomin) on Feb. 19…Also runner-up for second straight year in Memphis (l. to Melzer)… His only pre-final losses came at Australian Open (l. to Hewitt in 3rd Rd.), in Indian Wells (l. to No. 3 Federer in 3R), Miami (W/O vs. Murray in 3R) and Monte Carlo (Montanes in 1R)• Last month in Miami sprained his ankle in a warm-up before doubles match, then retired in second round doubles match at 1-2 (w/Anderson) before withdrawing from 3rd Rd. (vs. No. 4 Murray)• In San Jose, defended his title and held serve 41 of 42 games in four matches…In Memphis, was only broken once en route to the final before losing serve twice to Melzer in title match• This year leads ATP World Tour in service games won (93%) and 1st serve pts. won (82%) and No. 2 in break points saved (73%), in aces (333, behind Isner’s 353) and No. 4 in 2nd serve pts. won (58%)• In opening week of season, held serve all 48 games, defeating No. 10 Almagro in the semi-finals and No. 9 Tipsarevic in the final (in three TBs)• In first round Davis Cup tie in Vancouver vs. France, defeated Julien Benneteau and lost in doubles rubber…Withdrew from reverse singles on Sunday due to left knee pain• Has a 2-1 mark vs. Top 10 opponents this year (5-9 in his career)

• Murray, 24, on Tuesday opened with a 62 63 win over Sergiy Stakhovsky in his first Barcelona appearance in four years…Then followed with a 61 62 victory over Santiago Giraldo…Has a 3-3 mark here and appearing in his first quarter-final• The British No. 1 enters with a 21-5 match record on the season and one of eight players in Top 10 to register 20 match wins…Last week opened the clay court campaign with a quarter-final showing in Monte Carlo (l. to No. 7 Berdych)• The Scottish native opened the year with his 22nd career ATP World Tour title in Brisbane (d. Dolgopolov) and last month was runner-up in Dubai (l. to Federer) and on Apr. 1 in Miami (l. to Djokovic)…Also semi-finalist at Australian Open (l. to Djokovic)…Has advanced to the semi-finals or better in last five Grand Slam tournaments

• Lopez, 30, is appearing in the tournament for the 12th straight year (since 2001) and in the quarter-finals for the second year in a row after defeating Flavio Cipolla 64 63 and Jarkko Nieminen 63 61 (has held serve all 18 games, saving nine break pts.)… Made his debut in 1998 and has a 17-12 mark… Trying to reach the SFs for the first time…From 2006-10, lost to a Top 10 opponent all five years• The Madrid native is appearing in his second ATP World Tour quarter-final of the season and two weeks ago advanced to the semi-finals in Houston in his season clay court debut (after bye, d. Lorenzi, Berlocq, retired, before losing in three sets to Isner)• He comes in with a 9-9 match record on the season and he also reached the fourth round at the Australian Open where he defeated Leonardo Mayer, Flavio Cipolla and No. 17 John Isner (in five sets) before losing to countryman No. 2 Rafael Nadal in straight sets…Then went 2-5 in next five events• Has not played on Spain’s Davis Cup team in first two ties but last year was member of winning squad (d. Fish 8-6 in fifth set in QF tie in Austin) and also played doubles in 1R, SF and F ties• One of an ATP World Tour-best five Spaniards in Top 20 – No. 2 Nadal, No. 6 Ferrer, No. 13 Almagro, No. 16 Lopez, No. 20 Verdasco• Has an 0-3 mark vs. Top 10 opponents this year (23-63 in career, 5-19 on clay) and his last win on clay came over No. 10 Berdych in July ’07 in Stuttgart

• Ferrer, 30, the No. 2 Spaniard, is making his 10th tournament appearance (23-9 mark) and has reached the quarter-finals or better for the sixth straight year…Opened with a 60 63 win over Serbian Filip Krajinovic and followed with a 60 62 victory over countryman Albert Montanes…Has reached the semi-finals or better the past five years, losing to Nadal four times and Verdasco in SFs in ’10…Lost to Nadal in 2008, ’09 and ’11 final and in ’07 semi-finals• The Valencia resident (behind Nadal) is co-leader (w/Federer) on the ATP World Tour with three titles…His three titles ties a career-high (also in 2007)• He is playing in his eighth tournament of the year (26-4 record, 14-1 on clay, 12-3 on hard) and last week lost in the opening round (after bye) to Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci in Monte Carlo…Won three of first four tournaments in Auckland (d. Rochus), Buenos Aires (d. Almagro) and Acapulco (d. Verdasco)• In his other tournaments he didn’t win, reached quarter-finals at the Australian Open and Miami (l. to Djokovic in both) and third round at Indian Wells (l. to Istomin)

• Nadal, 24, the six-time champion (2005-09, ‘11), has a 32-1 career match record in Barcelona, winning 31 matches in a row since his only loss to countryman Alex Corretja in the second round in 2003… Opened with a 61 62 win over countryman Guillermo Garcia-Lopez and followed with a 62 63 victory over qualifier Robert Farah …Has won 64 of 66 sets during the streak (’06 QF vs. Nieminen, ’08 F vs. Ferrrer)…Has broken opponents 11 of 17 games (65%)…Last year defeated countryman Ferrer 62 64 in the third final in a row (lost 21 games in tourn.)• The 25-year-old Mallorcan native is 24-3 on the season and last week he captured a record eighth straight title at ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte Carlo (d. Djokovic)…Held serve 42 of 45 games and didn’t lose a set en route to his first title since Roland Garros last June (went 12 events since Paris) • Opened the season by reaching semi-finals in Doha (l. to Monfils) and followed with runner-up at the Australian Open, falling to Djokovic 57 64 62 67 75 in a record 5:53 marathon…Has reached the last four Grand Slam finals (1-3 mark) going back to Roland Garros (10-5 lifetime in finals)• Prior to last week, his last match was Mar. 28 in Miami where he defeated No. 6 Tsonga in the quarter-finals before withdrawing from SF (vs. Murray) due to left knee injury…It was only second walkover he gave in 777 matches (’04 Estoril)• Prior to Miami, he reached the singles semi-finals (l. to Federer) and captured his eighth career doubles title (w/M. Lopez) in Indian Wells…Did not drop a set in five matches during doubles play

• Tipsarevic, 27, the No. 2 Serb (behind No. 1 Djokovic) is appearing in the quarter-finals here for the first time after defeating Victor Hanescu 75 64 and Frederico Gil 62 62…He is making his first visit here in three years when he lost to Stepanek in second round…In ’08, retired (ankle) in first round vs. Gulbis • The Belgrade native comes into his fifth ATP World Tour quarter-final on the season with a 19-8 match record (4-2 on clay) and last week reached the third round in Monte Carlo (after bye, d. Montanes, l. to Simon in three sets)…Has won opening round match in all eight tournaments this year• Prior to last week, played in Davis Cup quarter-final tie in Czech Republic and defeated Radek Stepanek 9-7 in the fifth set in second rubber before losing to No. 7 Berdych in three tie-breaks• Has reached the quarter-finals or better in four tournaments this season, including runner-up showing in opening week in Chennai (l. to Raonic in three tie-breaks without break of serve)…In February, advanced to semi-finals in Marseille (l. to Llodra) and last month was quarter-finalist at ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Miami (l. to Murray) • Has an 0-3 mark vs. Top 10 opponents this year (12-34 in career, 2-8 on clay) and last win over No. 10 Monfils in first round of Monte Carlo in April 2009

• Verdasco, 28, who captured the title here two years ago (d. Soderling), is appearing in the quarter-finals for the third time after posting wins over Steve Darcis 63 61 and No. 13 seed Kevin Anderson 64 64…Has held serve all 18 games (saving five break points)…Has a 13-6 mark here (QF in ’09)• Has a 14-8 match record on the season (10-4 on clay) and appearing in his fourth ATP World Tour quarter-final or better…Reached his 17th career ATP World Tour final (5-12) in Acapulco (l. to Ferrer) on March 3…Also a semi-finalist in Auckland (l. to Ferrer) and quarter-finalist in Sao Paulo (l. to Ramos)• Last week in Monte Carlo, posted wins over Olivier Rochus and Ivan Dodig, both in three sets from a set down before losing to top Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 75(7) 62 in the third round

• Nishikori, 22, the top Asian player on the ATP World Tour, comes into his first quarter-final here after wins over Mikhail Kukushkin 63 46 60 and No. 17 seed Albert Ramos 76(2) 63…Last year made his debut and reached the third round (d. Riba, Machado, l. to Lopez)• The Japanese native is making his third quarter-final showing this year, second on clay, with a 15-8 record (7-3 on clay)…Reached a career-high No. 16 on Mar. 19 and comes in ranked No. 17…He’s the highest-ranked player from Japan in the history of the ATP World Tour Rankings (since 1973)• In opening month of the season, advanced to his first Grand Slam quarter-final at the Australian Open (d. No. 6 Tsonga in five sets, l. to No. 4 Murray) and afterwards broke the Top 20 on Jan. 31 at No. 20• In February, played in two Latin American clay court tournaments, reaching quarter-finals in Buenos Aires d. Ferrero, Hanescu, l. to Wawrinka) and second round in Acapulco (l. to Chardy)…In first three ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments, lost in opening round (after bye, l. to Giraldo)) in Indian Wells, 4th Rd. in Miami (l. to No. 2 Nadal) and third round last week in Monte Carlo (l. to No. 7 Berdych)

« Last Edit: April 27, 2012, 08:40:28 AM by conchita »

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Raonic is coached by Halo Blandishments and trains a lot in Spain. I think he gets a bad rap and is better on clay than he gets credit for. On the other hand, Murray grew up training on clay, which accounts for absolutely nothing.

World No. 25 Milos Raonic recorded his first Top 4 win on Friday as he defeated Andy Murray 6-4, 7-6(3) to reach his second ATP World Tour clay-court semi-final at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell.

The Canadian dropped just four points on serve in the first set and broke Murray in the seventh game to clinch the opener. He faltered for the only time in the match when serving for victory in the ninth game of the second set, but dominated in the ensuing tie-break to prevail in one hour and 44 minutes. The 6’5 right-hander fired 14 aces and won 84 per cent of points on his first serve.

The 21-year-old Raonic, named 2011 Newcomer of the Year, has already reached three ATP World Tour finals this season. He lifted the trophies in Chennai (d. Tipsarevic) and San Jose (d. Istomin) and finished runner-up in Memphis (l. to Melzer).

For a place in his first ATP World Tour clay-court final, the 11th-seeded Raonic will face either third seed David Ferrer or No. 7 Feliciano Lopez, who are set to meet in an all-Spanish quarter-final.

The No. 4-ranked Murray had opened his clay-court campaign last week with a quarter-final showing at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters (l. to Berdych). A winner at the Brisbane International earlier in the year, the Scot dropped to a 21-6 match record on the season.

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more surprises as Lopez takes the first set in the tb, Ferrer, 3 times finalist had a setp point!the big thing about Feliciano is that he forces opponents to play bad. he had a great win against another lefty Nieminen.so, Ferrer, watch out!

Nadal must rise his level against Tipsy, he played bad against the surprise of the event, qualifier, ranked around 250 Farah, defeated Andujar in 2nd round. In the meantime Tipsy played very well against Gil. seems the key of the succes of Tipsy in last 2 seasons was to get married, Tipsy played in teen years in barcelona and was the junior sparring of Corretja before a Roland Garros final vs Kuerten.

Raonic was impressive against Almagro, Nico wasn't happy at all to play at 11.00 am, he had a long night before the match, he showed a lot of temper and the rackets flying. Murray played ok, but it was more that Giraldo played horrible, changed his style and game plan and didn't work at all. Raonic in the presser thanking the fans for routing for him in the win against Murray.

the last QF is wide open, Nishikori was really tested in the win to Ramos, Ramos had in the 1st, a set point and was 1/8 in bp chances. Verdasco must show up.

Davis Cup captain Corretja is in the event, saw him in the singles match of Granollers, decisions to make for the olympics, 4 spots in the singles, official: Nadal has chosen Granollers for the doubles at the olympics. Granollers was awarded yesterday by fellow spanish players as the spanish player of the year, says something about his charisma.

former DC Captain is the tourney director, Albert Costa was seating yesterday next to Conchita Martinez in the royal box.it's so wonderful how the retired and current spanish players talked about Martinez, she is so respected and loved! so much! she was trully an extremely humble player.

« Last Edit: April 27, 2012, 10:46:49 AM by conchita »

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great match! epic battle! the baseline style of Ferru vs serve and volley of Lopez!! Lopez vs Ferrer 76(4) 67(7), Lopez had 3 match points! into a decider!Lopez had never won a set against Ferrer on clay. Lopez trying to reach first semi in Barcelona.Ferrer has reached at least the semis here in the last 5 years, 3 finals and 2 semis.what could have been of the career of Lopez if he had been years before coached by Berasategui.after 2h32' and 8 bps chances from Ferru, lucky net cord for Ferru and unforced error of Lopez and finally a break in the match!!! Ferrer consolidates the break 5-2! now Lopez serving to stay in the match!!

Ferrer d. Lopez 67(4) 76(6) 63 in 2h45' Ferrer yet again in the semis, 6 years in a row, saving 3 match pointsdidn't celebrate in respect of Feliciano, friendship. Semi: Raonic vs Ferrer!!!Ferru said this week that his biggest dream in tennis is to win this event!

up next: 6 times champion Nadal vs Tipsarevic!!!!!!last meeting was long time ago, davis cup 1st round, at terra mitica in benidorm, spain, march 2009.

heading to a late night finish on quarterfinals day!! the record was on wednesday on Pista 1, 9.30 pm.

« Last Edit: April 27, 2012, 11:41:10 AM by conchita »

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For a place in his first ATP World Tour clay-court final, the 11th-seeded Raonic will face third seed David Ferrer, who saved three match points to edge fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez, the No. 7 seed, 6-7(4), 7-6(7), 6-3 in two hours and 45 minutes.

Ferrer trailed 4-5, 15/40 in the second set and, after rallying to force a tie-break, found himself 1-4 and then 6-7 down. The Valencia resident held on to take the match into a decider and engineered the first service break in the sixth game before going onto serve out victory,

The 30-year-old Ferrer is through to the semi-finals at this ATP World Tour 500 clay-court tournament for the sixth successive year; he went onto reach the final in 2008, 2009 & 2011, falling to Rafael Nadal each time. Ferrer is bidding to win an ATP-best fourth title this season, having already triumphed in Auckland (d. Rochus), Buenos Aires (d. Almagro) and Acapulco (d. Verdasco). He improved to a 27-4 match record on the season.

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Nishikori is about to retire with some muscle strain in his back, ribs, or abs. This guy just looks frail.

I was extremely surprised and shocked when I saw him, looks like a junior, no muscles at all in upper body and lower body, needs to go to the gym. don't know his weight but he was the most slim player by far, by two thousand miles that I saw in the event and I saw more than 50 players. Sadly can be a big problem for him.

for the record: Milos bombarded Murray at 239 km/h, he told in the presser that 90% of his success was the confidence that Blanco gives him, he will play tomorrow one of the best returners, Ferrer. height, Raonic 196cms, Ferrer 175 cms .

« Last Edit: April 27, 2012, 01:46:58 PM by conchita »

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